After graduation, how does one get a job amongst so many others holding the same degree they do? Creating an edge that puts one ahead in the job hunt can be challenging, but there are ways to get the attention of employers even when the competition is high. These skills were discussed and taught at the International Institute of Professional Protocol (IIPP) Conference sponsored by the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation (BBJFF).
This three-day conference held on the BYU–Hawaii campus was geared toward the development of the professional refinement for success in today’s workplace. Students could attend up to eight classes and learn how to get employers to notice and hire them. Starting at 7:30 AM classes began every hour. Classes included topics such as Managing your Image, What to Write and How to Say it, Communicating with Confidence, and Networking: It’s Who You Know. Students who attended five classes or more qualified to attend the closing banquet consisting of a dinner, fashion show and raffle. And those who attended all eight classes were additionally pre-qualified for the chance to be selected for an internship with the Executive Mentors Summit on the U.S. mainland. Approximately 400 students helped and participated with the 2011 conference.
“The conference blew my expectations out of the water. There was such a high caliber of teachers on the BBJFF staff that no matter who you are, there was something that can be learned and applied in your daily life to make you an all-around better person,” explains Skyler Chambers, business major from Utah/California and Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team leader for the IIPP Conference. “I attended eight classes, which was the max possible, and I even sat in part of the classes that were designed for the women only. I feel that by attending these classes I will not be unsure on how to act in business situations. I will be confident and knowledgeable when going to get a job.”
The BBJFF was established by Barbara’s late husband, philanthropist Harold Jones, in 1996. The foundation financially sponsors and supports two camps, ‘Be the Best You,’ which promotes a positive image for teenage girls, and ‘A New You,’ a retreat for women. The International Institute of Professional Protocol is a relatively new program to the foundation and aims to encourage college students to prepare for the workplace before graduating.
“In this economy, students need to grow in academic knowledge, spiritually, and be polished in order to compete in today’s work place. They must become leaders, as David O. McKay said, genuine gold, and pure gold must be refined and polished,” expresses Barbara Barrington Jones.
This is the third year that the IIPP Conference has been held at BYU–Hawaii, and there are plans to return next year to serve even more students.
“I think everyone could have benefitted from the conference, a lot of effort, time and money was put into it, and there was something there for everyone,” explains Michael Schoneman, (’10) co-advisor for SIFE and IIPP volunteer who also participated. “The most valuable class I attended was the one on networking. It talked about the importance of relationships, and Taylor Gamble [the instructor for the class] explained that success is not a one-man-show, but that it comes from other people; it’s a relationship revolution. He advised not to go into a relationship for business purposes, but rather to make friends and foster those relationships. Opportunities will come and you will be more willing to serve friends or people that you care about. I feel more aware of the possibilities I have now.”